The calm, rippling sea glittered beneath the sun as the Gale cut swiftly through the waves.
Their journey through the North Blue had finally come to a satisfying close—Leno and his crew were about to set foot on the Grand Line.
During their visit to Germa, after a round of rather "friendly" negotiations, Judge had cooperated surprisingly well—offering up years of his scientific research to Leno, completely free of charge.
Reiju had also gained her long-awaited freedom, though Leno remained somewhat skeptical. His intimidation might have worked for now, but who could say Judge hadn't left some hidden contingency? The Lineage Factor data definitely needed expert analysis before it could be trusted.
As Leno sat quietly at the ship's bow, pondering their path ahead, he could feel an intense gaze burning into his back. With a helpless sigh, he turned slightly.
Ever since they'd left Germa, Reiju's eyes had been fixed on him—brimming with words unspoken.
"Hey, Reiju" Leno finally said, "You've been staring holes in me. Got something to say?"
"Yes," Reiju replied, her tone playful. "I've been wondering how to repay you, Captain~"
Caught off guard, Leno blinked, then smirked.
Since he'd forced Judge to remove her control chip, Reiju had been in a daze—her gaze unconsciously drawn to this man, as if enchanted.
"Well, isn't it obvious? If you are willing to treat me with something delicious, then I'm free tonight. Remember to wash up nicely ~"
Now a seasoned veteran in teasing, Leno spoke without the slightest restraint. Reiju, already aboard and within arm's reach, was like a dish half served—it never hurt to lay some groundwork early.
"My, my~ Then I'll leave the door open tonight, Captain. I just wonder—will you dare come in?"
Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she glanced past him toward an approaching figure.
"Fine! Tonight, you just wait... just wait eat..." Leno froze mid-sentence.
Leno, his face alight with joy, had just turned his head when he saw Nami, her face completely livid, standing beside Reiju and glaring at him.
He coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… Nami. is something wrong?"
He shot a glare at the smirking Reiju—she knew how scary Nami could be, yet still lured him into this trap! And now he'd been caught red-handed. Nami, who'd already been grumbling about her age, had just overheard him talking about "eating" the newest crew member.
Furious and wounded, she glared at him. So that's how desperate you are, you big idiot.
Her eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill. She had only come to discuss their preparations for entering the Grand Line—but now, all mood for that was gone. She turned on her heel to leave.
Leno panicked. Wait, what? I was just joking!
In a flash, he appeared beside her and caught her wrist. But Nami refused to look at him, struggling hard to pull away.
How could she possibly break free? In the end, Leno pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. Gently, he brushed the tears from her cheeks and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, I was just making a joke. Don't cry, okay?"
"Don't cry?!" she snapped, looking up at him with tear-bright eyes. "Aren't Nojiko and the others enough for you? How can you still be so impatient?"
Her anger burned through her embarrassment. This infuriating man—lately, all he thought about was women!
"Come on, you know me," Leno said with a nervous grin. "I swear, I was only teasing~"
He sighed inwardly. Great. Now she's really mad. I need to be more careful around this little firecracker.
He glanced up and noticed Reiju was long gone—of course she had, the cunning woman. Fine. Sooner or later, I'll make her pay for this.
"I-I'm not saying you can't… but you have to know some restraint, right? Do you even look like a Captain acting like this?" Nami muttered after a pause, cheeks pink.
Nestled against his chest, she knew she couldn't really stop him. Trying would only make her seem petty—and besides, she wouldn't succeed anyway.
Frustrated by her own helplessness, she bit him hard on the chest. How did I end up falling for this jerk?
"Hiss—!" Leno exaggerated his pain, patting her back to soothe her.
"I'll be more careful, I promise. Or maybe…" His eyes glinted as he leaned close to whisper in her ear, "…maybe tonight, I'll come to your room?"
Nami, who was still annoyed, heard this and her face flushed instantly. She looked up at him in disbelief.
"You—you said I wasn't old enough…"
"Silly girl, what are you thinking!" he murmured with a chuckle. "I just meant I want to be with you tonight. Do nothing else—just stay with you."
"..."
Her ears burned crimson. Without another word, she lowered her head and began softly bumping it against his chest, flustered beyond words.
——
"What's with this weather? Such heavy rain!"
Leno frowned, staring at the sheets of rain hammering the deck. They'd finally reached the Red Line, only for the skies to open up.
"So this is the Red Line? It's… even more magnificent than I imagined!"
Olga and Uta, who'd never seen it before, stood speechless at the sight—eyes wide in awe.
"Heh, just wait! You're about to experience what it's like to ride the sea current straight into the sky!"
Nami puffed out her chest proudly, grinning at the two girls. She'd done it before—but now, it was their turn to see.
"Wait, Nami," Leno said. "Wouldn't it be easier if we just flew up there? Why take the sea current?"
"You don't get it! This marks the end of our voyage around the Four Seas—the start of our journey on the Grand Line! It's a rite of passage!"
"Fine, fine, you're the navigator. Whatever you say."
Through the curtain of rain, Leno's Observation Haki quickly picked up the massive "fissure" in the Red Line ahead.
As they drew closer, he realized it wasn't a crack at all—but a rising sea channel.
"Whoa! The current's actually going upward! That's insane!"
Uta ran onto the deck despite the rain, tilting her head back in astonishment. The upward torrent reached all the way into the clouds, the top invisible from below.
Under Nami's expert command, the Gale entered the ascending current and surged upward at breathtaking speed.
When they finally reached the peak, everyone gathered on deck to gaze ahead.
"There it is—the world's greatest sea… the Grand Line!"
"We finally… finally made it!"
"Yeah!"
"Woohoo!"
"..."